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WALLOPS ISLAND, GO. (AP / WBOC) – The launch of the Antares rocket on Wallops Island was a success on Wednesday afternoon.
Northrop Grumman's Antares rocket was launched Wednesday from Wallops Island. The company's Cygnus capsule is expected to arrive at the International Space Station on Friday, just in time for Easter.
Although there is no Easter ham or lamb, NASA says that many generic holiday devices are installed for the six residents of the space station, including smoked turkey , pork chops, asparagus and shoemaker. In total, 800 meals are hidden.
The 7,600-pound (3,450-kilogram) load also includes three free-flying robots to be tested as astronaut aids, 40 black lab mice, and 63 tiny student search satellites.
These mice embarked on the Cygnus Space Shuttle with an important mission. NASA calls them "mounstronautes". They are used to better understand the impact of spaceflight on the production of antibodies and immune memory. Scientists say that the immune system of the mouse is very close to that of humans, making it an ideal choice for the mission.
Many people gathered to watch the launch, some parking along the Chincoteague Road about 800 meters on both sides to get to the visitor center. Some people we talked to after the launch said that not only did they like it, but that they were coming back for other launches in the future.
"I just retired and this is some sort of bucket list thing – the first time," said Bob Bristow of Wilmington, DE. "We have seen it from afar, from Wilmington many times, but we have unfortunately not been able to see it, but this time."
Another delivery is expected at the end of the month.
SpaceX, NASA's other commercial shipper, is scheduled to launch an expedition from Florida on April 26th.
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